Page 10 of Captive Heart

"Uh," she says, her voice trembling. "You are entirely naked."

I chuckle at her naivety, glancing down at myself. "Yes."

I try to engage Lyra in conversation, but she remains guarded, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape. "So, Lyra," I say, trying to keep my voice casual. "Tell me about yourself."

She hesitates for a moment before speaking, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's not much to tell. I was born into slavery, and I've been a slave my entire life."

I can see the pain in her eyes, and it stirs something within me. I want to comfort her, to tell her that she's safe now, but I know that would be a lie. She's not safe here, not with me. But perhaps I can make her life a little easier.

Lyra looks at me skeptically, and I can't blame her. She has no reason to trust me, not after everything she's been through. But I can't help but feel a twinge of disappointment. I'll need her to trust me if I have any hope of using her power to overthrow the Elder.

After a moment of silence, Lyra speaks up again. "What cleaning duties do you want me to begin with?"

I stare at her in confusion. "Cleaning duties? My lair is fine."

Lyra looks down at the ground, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I just assumed...I mean, I'm used to cleaning and cooking and...and..."

Seeing Lyra cower and apologize only fuels my anger. If I wielded the power that she so clearly possesses, I would never grovel before anyone. But then again, perhaps she's unaware of her own strength. Despite my rage, I find myself captivated by her abilities. All I desire is to experience the exhilaration it offers me.

I can't help but wonder how she managed to keep such a potent force hidden for so long. It's almost as if she's been suppressing it, like a dragon shifter trying to hide their true nature. The thought intrigues me, and I can't help but feel a strange sense of kinship with her.

As much as I want to lash out at her, I know that I need her trust if I'm going to harness her power. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm brewing within me. Something I've never bothered doing before.

"Human," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "You have no reason to apologize to me. You are my property now, and you will do as I say."

She flinches at my words, but there's a fire in her eyes that I can't ignore. I stare at her in disbelief. How could someone with such power be so unaware of it? It's infuriating, and yet...it's also strangely exciting. I can mold her into the weapon I need to overthrow the Elder.

9

LYRA

Ican't help but feel a sense of defeat as I find myself enslaved once again, this time in a hot, dark, and sweaty place. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and something else I can't quite place. I try to push down the panic rising in my chest, but it's no use. I'm trapped.

Zoldryn, my new master. His long horns and obsidian scaled skin nearly allow him to blend in with the dark surroundings. He's mean and grumpy, and I can't help but feel a sense of unease around him.

"Come to bed, human," he commands, his voice a low growl that sends shivers down my spine.

I turn around and see him sprawled naked on a stone slab, his obsidian scales glinting in the dim light. My heart races as I take in his massive form, the muscles rippling under his skin. I wipe the sweat from my brow, trying to calm myself.

"I'm not sure that's proper for a master and slave," I say, my voice barely above a whisper.

My heart sinks into the pits of my stomach as I realize the implications of his words. He's going to force me to have sex with him. I've heard of masters using their slaves as sex toys, but Master Viccar was never interested in me. I was too stupid for his liking, I suppose. Maybe that's why Brin refused to run with me. He would have noticed the moment she was gone. I don't want to know what that feels like. I don't want to-

"OBEY ME HUMAN!" he shouts, his gravelly voice reverberating off the walls and echoing back to me like a thousand commands. I can feel the weight of his words pressing down on me, making it hard to breathe.

I cower onto the stone slab, laying as far from him as possible. I can feel the heat radiating off of his body, and it makes me feel even more uncomfortable. I close my eyes and try to block out the sound of his heavy breathing.

As I lay there, I can't help but wonder what my future holds. Will I ever be free from this life of slavery? Or am I doomed to spend the rest of my days in the service of others? I try to push the thoughts out of my head, but they linger like a bad dream.

To my relief, Zoldryn doesn't force himself on me. But his gaze bores into me as I tremble, and I can't help but feel like a mouse caught in the gaze of a hawk. The hard, cold slab beneath me is unpleasant, but I don't dare complain. I flinch as Zoldryn shifts closer, touching my arm and grasping my hand possessively.

"You are mine now," he growls, sending a confusing thrill through me. His touch is rough and calloused, but there's a strange gentleness to it that I can't quite place. I try to pull my hand away, but he only tightens his grip.

"What do you want from me?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Zoldryn's lips curl into a smirk. "That's a good question, human," he says. "But I think we'll save that for another time."

I curl up on the stone slab, trying to find some semblance of comfort in the cold, hard surface. But all I can feel is the weight of Zoldryn's gaze on me, and the confusing mix of fear and excitement that courses through my veins. I don't know what the future holds, but I know one thing for sure: I'm not going to give up without a fight.

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